SDMB Rookie of the Month!

[Jester]

Browsing the boards, recently, I've been seeing alot of good potential. Though this board brings in alot of trolls and morons per month, it also attracts the occasional shining star of a newbie, who stands out from the first post on.

So, I'm starting this thread, to ensure that the newbies who harness board concepts quicker than others get recognized for their great and glorious achievment. Vote here for the official SDMB Rookie of the Month!

Before we begin, here are the rules:

1) Everyone may vote once per month. Vote for any newbie that's caught your eye on the boards, and shows immense promise on the SDMB. It can be somebody funny, somebody intelligent, or somebody who's not as stupid as everybody else, if it's a slow month.

2) Eligible candidates are any poster registered in the month in question. For example, since this is the April voting time, anybody with an April, 2001 registering date will be considered worthy of this thread's attentions.

3) Self-promotion and propaganda is highly recommended. If you are a newbie who has registered in the month in question, and know how to work vB coding already, feel free to post links to threads which you think accentuate your unique posting style. If you can't work coding, well, you'll just have to do some really convincing dancing.

4) Regular posters voting for a newbie can also promote their particular choice with links/examples, in order to sway the vote of other posters.

Okay, I'm pretty sure that covers it, but if you have any more questions, feel free to post em here! I'll choose each winner at the end of the week, based on votes, and the winner shall have the honor of being the official Rookie of the Month!

And now, the polls for April are open! Vote away!

[Arden Ranger]

My vote goes to Verrain.

In his first coupla weeks he plunged right into GQ and GD and quite good naturedly took on the sig campaign that ChiefScott blessed him with. He's presented himself as caring and intelligent in many threads in this forum. He even seems to have impressed purplebear!

And he plays Amber. :D

The fact that he's my recruit has nothing to do with it. Nope. Not a bit.

[Jester]

Good suggestion, Arden. Unfortuntaly, friend Verrain is listed as having registered in March, 2001. Since we're choosing the newbie for April, I can't allow him to be up for voting.

<accusing detective voice> But, of course, you KNEW that, DIDN'T you, Miss Ranger? You knew perfectly well that he registered last month, but just thought you'd be Lil-Miss-Ignore-Jester-Cause-He's-Probably-Too-Stupid-To-See-that-I-broke-the-rules, didn't you! You just HAD to help out your recruit, eh? EH?!
</accusing detective voice>

In all seriousness, Verrain definitely shows the signs of being a helluva Doper, but I can't let him in. Rules is rules.

[Bumbazine]

But Jester, it's only the (counting on fingers) 10th of April. If you choose a rookie of the month now, the newbies who join in the latter part of April won't get their chance. Besides, we haven't had a lot of time to interview the newbies, do the evening gown competition, look at nekkid pics, etc. Maybe Arden's right and we should be reviewing the March crop.

[Jonathan Chance]

Gotta go with ol' Bumbazine here.

You can't vote on the NL Rookie of the Year in April. You gotta wait until the end of the season.

So our current voting should be those posters who registered in March. April's contest begins in May...

[Spider John]

If the opinion of the newbie has any weight, (and I'm guessing it doesn't but will boldly press on with my thought anyway) I think the month-before formula is more equitable. It allows for a full-month of postings.

Although, I can see benefits to judging the current month's postings. It would allow us lowly newbies to guage our progress througout the competition and thereby provide us with opportunities to come up with gems of wisdom and wit in hopes of advancing in the ranks.

By the way, what does the winner get?

[Jester]

Alrighty, upon reviewing, I concur with the "month before" suggestion. My official aplogies to Arden for any emotional damage caused by singaling her out.

You guys are no fun.

So, I guess we're now officially choosing March's Rookie of the Month. Again, please vote!

Oh, and Spider John?

By the way, what does the winner get?

You get Wonderful prize of....pride!

That, and you can put it in your sig, to amaze all your friends.

Now stop with the questions, already! Don't you think you've exposed my faults enough?

[Arden Ranger]

Whoa! That'll teach me to not check back in! I missed the accusing detective's voice and everything!

Actually, it was late when I nominated Verrain and I didn't check his registration date. It was close enough to the end of March that I mis-remembered.

But since it has all worked out for the good, I renominate Verrain. :D

[riley dieffenbach]

Damn - And here I was counting on a toaster oven.

[Freudian Slit]

Oh, did SexyWriter join in March? I like her.

[Bumbazine]

Sorry Zoggie, SexyWriter joined in February IIRC, (I like her too), but Francesca joined in March, and I've enjoyed her posts, so I'll put her name up.

[Freudian Slit]

Oh damn. Well, I'll be on the look out for another promising rookie, then.

Jester, you seem to love organizing SD projects, don't you? :)

[Kamandi]

(cough, cough) hey, that Kamandi guy is doing pretty good! Look at the great thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=66331) he started in GQ. Interesting question, well written, not too pompous... His command of vB seems to be coming along well. And look at that clever sig! The kid shows promise, If you ask me.
[sub]

[Totoro]

There should be a rookie of the year contest too. At the end of the year, of course.

[Peregrine]

Excellent idea going to the month-before format, since posters who catch on quickly are apt to be those who spend more time reading than posting, and may take more than a few days to come to anyone's attention.

May I suggest some criteria for gauging whether a poster has caught on to key concepts?
[list=A] Demonstrating desired behavior (easy to document)[list=1] Recognizing the appropriate forum (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=62986) for a given topic
Citing sources (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=64638) for answers in GQ
Sending an appropriate greeting to Opal at the appropriate time (Hi!) Using basic and intermediate vB skills without continually asking things like "How do I insert a link?" Oh, and I guess being funny and creative and stuff[/list=1]

Not demonstrating regrettable behavior (much more difficult to establish)[list=1] Not encouraging posters who don't bother with a search, or who post to the wrong forum
Not reviving old threads without a good reason
Not triggering accidental smilies or leaving codes switched on Well, this could get kind of long[/list=1][/list=A]

Actually, some of the things in part B could be recast as positive behaviors for part A, and neither list is anywhere near complete, but I really wanted to show off my nested listing skills.
Peregrine,who was angling for the "highest ratio of content to fluff" award

[trose]

Originally posted by riley dieffenbach
Damn - And here I was counting on a toaster oven.One of the reasons I'm nominating you, riley: you know that brevity is the soul of wit.

[Kat]

I nominate Kamandi, because he's definitely got the sneaky self-promotion stuff down. He can feel free to send me any bribes he had on hand for that purpose. Chocolate is always good.

[Kaitlyn]

Top six reasons why Number Six should be rookie of the month:

1. Knows thatbrevity (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=66539) is the soul of wit.
2. Offers insights into the great issues (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=66527) of our day.
3. Hi Opal!
4. Knows when to admit he made amistake (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=66922).
5. Has a playful (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=66843) side.
6. Has a subtle, yet clever sig.

[gypsy_gurl]

Originally posted by Zoggie
Oh damn. Well, I'll be on the look out for another promising rookie, then.


hmmmm looking for a newbie....a newbie registered in March. Why where ever will you find one that knows how to lean the letters sooo casually? Where ever will you find one that knows how to be bold? Or quote something?
or make you squint? :confused: If only I could figure out those little face thingies....But since I don't see any newbies with those superior smarts I can list my winning qualities.
1. Somewhat witty
2. I'm constantly floored by you all. Your like gods to me. I bring offerings of chocolate....lots of chocolate.
3. Hi Opal. (and I know who Opalcat is! How many newbies can say that.)
4. Wally seemed cool...wish I had gotten to meet him. The cyber sex bit had me *spitting random fluids on my moniter.*
5. Well, my sig is original if anything ;)
So I know I don't know much but maybe you'll take pity on me??????
come on, I offered chocolate!

[Francesca]

Originally posted by Bumbazine
Sorry Zoggie, SexyWriter joined in February IIRC, (I like her too), but Francesca joined in March, and I've enjoyed her posts, so I'll put her name up.

Why thank you Bumbazine. Nomination much appreciated and chuffedness (yes, it is a word) now set to maximum. Hurrah!

[Kamandi]

You other newbies make me sick, horning in on my shameless self-promotion action! ;)

And that's just a mild example of my flame skills (turned way down on account of the forum and the fact that I don't really wanna frighten away any of you more sensitive newbie folk). Yep, I've turned into a bit of a Pit whore, which in my opinion should not be held against me in any way in this contest, unless you want to feel my wrath in the Pit! :D

As you can see in this gem (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=66035) and here (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=66603), my Pit posting style is more reasoned argument than incoherent profanity. Well, at least I try to write complete sentences. Sure, in the Pit that gets me ridiculed and ignored, but that's better than getting virtually urinated on :mad: ~~~#:eek: Gross.

And Kat, that jumbo box of Godiva is in the post.

[Vestal Blue]

Newbies? We got newbies?!

[John Cleese]
Right! ALL newbies must go through the goosebumps and indignities routine.

Turn your head and cough......And if you're a female newbie, well, turn your head and cough anyway!
[/John Cleese]


VB gleefully snaps the latex gloves.......

[Verrain]

Thank you for the nomination, Arden. If elected Rookie of the Month I promise free .sigs for everyone! Of course, I'll do that if I'm not elected too. I'm easy going that way.

[riley dieffenbach]

Trose - Thank you kindly for the nomination and should I win I promise you can come over and use my toaster oven. Frosted Cherry Pop-Tarts are my personal fave, although I am open to Toaster Pastries as well.

[Freudian Slit]

Aw. Well, gypsy chose me, so I guess I'll have to sponser her. Kindly deposit the chocolate in my mouth and we'll get going. None of you others had better touch her. :) No, seriously though.

I'm going to take you to the top, gyspy! Get ready to work your ass off and enjoy it!! Plus I have connections with Jester so it all works out.

[Nausicaa]

Hey!!! I'm new! I'm nice - I'm just quiet and shy. At least I don't clutter up the board (looks around hopefully for reassurance and acceptance and then quietly slinks away).

[Vestal Blue]

Originally posted by Nausicaa
Hey!!! I'm new! I'm nice - I'm just quiet and shy. At least I don't clutter up the board (looks around hopefully for reassurance and acceptance and then quietly slinks away).

Oh! It's Nausicaa, not Nausia; in that case I'm quite sure you're exceptionally nice, and won't damage my shoes.

Turn your head and cough!

[Jester]

Alrighty, here are the standings so far:

Verrain, Francesca, Kamandi, riley diffenbach, and gypsy_gurl Are all in one super, mega, hyper-unnecessary tie with one vote each.

So, the only way that any of yooze is gonna pull ahead is to win over other Dopers, and I'm afraid that that means some serious ass-kissing is in order!

(Though this does bring up the delicate point of what to do in a tie. If such a thing should happen, I'll be forced to pick the Newbie of the Month myself, from the tied contestants, based on posting merit. Credentials and specifics to follow, unless there's no need to do so, since I'm lazy)

[Jester]

Oh, yes, I should say that Nausicaa has a vote, as well. That is, if Vestal Blue's post was meant as a vote. A bit of clarification, VB?

[TruePisces]

Gimme a V
Gimme a E
Gimme a double R
Gimme an AIN

What's that spell?

Verrain!!!

Guess you know where my vote goes! ;)


Why? Well... he doesn't act like a newbie. He's just too damn good!

[KarlGauss]

Anyone who can code as well as Peregrine (and after only a few weeks, mind you), deserves some type of award.

[gypsy_gurl]

::bursts into the room wearing whip cream....only whipped cream::
all right guys...start kissing ass (and any other body parts you see fit;))
oh...you meant me kissing yourass?!
::throws the whipped cream to the next unbashful higher up in charge of the vote tally:: ;)


hey, if you got it...flaunt it!

[ChiefScott]

Put me down for Verrain too.

When does voting end?

[lurkernomore]

Well, while Peregrine has fine skills (have you met Falcon, BTW?) Gypsy_gurl seems to really be in the usual MSPIMS spirit... do I vote for the skills, or "Miss Congeniality" ?...

...let me roll that around on my tongue...

...meant the q, not GG...

[Falcon]

Suuuuuuure ya did, lurker. ;)

Add my vote in for Verrain.

[Peregrine]

Thanks for the mention, Karl (may I call you Karl?) It's gratifying to have the support of a consistently coherent poster such as yourself. And lurkernomore, my pathological sincerity compels me to advise you to consider spirit above technical ability.

Rather than seek the nomination for myself, I will be glad to endorse Verrain (I know a landslide when I see one,) if SOMEONE will just tell me what a great job I did answering ChiefScott's hasty pudding (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=64638) question. Sure, there's room for improvement, but I was really pleased with my effort, and I was kind of hoping somebody might actually read it. (Nevermind the award; I just want a lolly-pop. A red one.)

[Arden Ranger]

You did a most excellent and thorough job in answering the hasty pudding question, Peregrine. Cites and everything!

One red lollipop, coming your way.

[Bartman]

Question.

Can April Newbies vote on March Newbies?

[ChiefScott]

I thank thee too, Perigrine. An awesome job. I actually browsed through that site for quite a while. I fergot to return and thank you.

Oh, and have I got a lolly-pop for you!

[Bartman]

Question.

Can April Newbies vote on March Newbies? If so I would like to cast for Verrain.

And start my campaign for April.

[gypsy_gurl]

Originally posted by Zoggie
I'm going to take you to the top, gyspy! Get ready to work your ass off and enjoy it!!
Zoggie was that take me too the top or on top??? ;)
Originally posted by lurkernomore
Well, while Peregrine has fine skills (have you met Falcon, BTW?) Gypsy_gurl seems to really be in the usual MSPIMS spirit... do I vote for the skills, or "Miss Congeniality" ?...

...let me roll that around on my tongue...

...meant the q, not GG...
::slides over to lurkernomore wearing a bikini made of little nibblets of chocolate::
Come on...you can't resist voting for me ;)

[Jester]

Verrain pulls well into the lead, with 6 votes!

Following are Francesca, Kamandi, Peregrine, riley diffenbach, and gypsy_gurl, with one vote each.

To answer questions:

-ChiefScott, voting ends at the end of the month. Last day for this round is April 30. (And frankly, I'm suprised that you could post directly after a woman covered in whipped cream...to vote for someone else. For shame, Chief!)

-As for a newbie of the year competition, there will be one, but it will only be between all of the monthly winners.

-And as for April newbies voting, by all means, go ahead. Anyone who is not registered in the month in question can feel free to vote, thereby possibly securing votes for themselves in the future.

Keep em coming, folks! Sill got a while left in this month!

[soulmurk]

Been lurking in this thread from the beginning and have held off posting until now. Moment of weakness I suppose.

Self-promotion not being preferable to self-deprecation in my book, I'll decline participating in any of the former.

In that vein, I would appreciate consideration (ironically) for the coveted title of "Most Ignored Newbie". If there is also a candidacy for newbies in the category of "Longest Hold Out to Posting (in) a Flirt Thread", I would ask some consideration in that as well.

[Humble Servant]

Originally posted by Jester
I'll be forced to pick the Newbie of the Month myself, from the tied contestantsWell, I certainly hope the entry form got their consent for this.

:D

[TheLoadedDog]

Originally posted by soulmurk
Been lurking in this thread from the beginning and have held off posting until now. Moment of weakness I suppose.

Self-promotion not being preferable to self-deprecation in my book, I'll decline participating in any of the former.

In that vein, I would appreciate consideration (ironically) for the coveted title of "Most Ignored Newbie". If there is also a candidacy for newbies in the category of "Longest Hold Out to Posting (in) a Flirt Thread", I would ask some consideration in that as well.


I agree totally, soulmurk, and would never vote for myself!


Of course, my friend, if you and I were to come to some, shall we say... arrangement..... heheheh

[lurkernomore]

Originally posted by gypsy_gurl
[QUOTE]
::slides over to lurkernomore wearing a bikini made of little nibblets of chocolate::
Come on...you can't resist voting for me ;)



Ah, I have always been a sucker for a sweet young thing....:D